Hi - I'm coming to the city for a very quick visit. Will only have about 4 hours to hit my favorite shops for food. What are some places that I should go to ? What are your favorite stores for specific foods ? I'm going to be in the Village for the morning, and then working my way up to mid-town to take the train. What are some places that I MUST GO TO ? Thanks !

where is the best market or butchery to buy steak tips ? Years ago at McKinnon's market in Danvers - they had the best tips - we'd grill them up and moan through the meal. Now that we are in Waltham, other than Whole Foods, who has really good marinated tips (or chicken, turkey, etc etc) ?

not to go on and on - but Aunt Carrie's in Point Judith is really quite good too - nice view - but always tough to get into - it is always mobbed. Make sure wherever you go that you get chowder - either clear or milk, and get some clamcakes. http://www.auntcarriesri.com/

that is the place. No - you can get fried seafood, but you can get grilled, baked, steamed - there are tons of choices. Also - if you are staying in Charlestown, I highly highly recommend hitting up The Bakery for baked goods. Their croissants are amazing. Actually - everything there is amazing. http://www.thebakeryisopen.com/ In fact, I can't wait to visit my folks so that I can head over there. I did forget to mention - The Hitching Post on Rte 1. They are open only in the summer - I believe this is their opening weekend. Fantastic seafood take out. The do have indoor seating and outdoor seating, but we always bring it home...that's a treat. Great chowders, their fish is great.

when I was in high school, the bus used to go by Allie's every day, and every day we would beg the bus driver Ralph, to stop. once or twice a year he would stop, we would load up - each of us getting a dozen or so donuts, quart of milk, and we would pig out on the rest of the bus ride. Can you imagine a bus driver stopping now ? Talk about lawsuits.

Go to Champlain's in Point Judith for lobster. Great site, good food. You can buy lobsters there or have them cooked. It is right on the docks. You realize when you say 30-45 minutes from Charlestown however, you could range from Mystic CT to almost Providence. Across the street from the Matunuck Oyster Bar is Cap'n Jacks which isn't as good but still is fun. Go into Wakefield and go to the Mews for great beer selection. To splurge, head down to the Olympia Tea Room in Watch Hill, sit outside and people watch.

I was at Depasquale's on Watertown Street in Newton today and I saw that the bubble tea place was gone and a sign was going up for a gelateria...I think the name is NUDA or NUDO. Anyone know about it ?

do they let you pick it up on Thanksgiving day or do you have to get it the day before? My wife is pregnant with twins (yikes) and so our usual Thanksgiving down at my parents ain't happening. However, it is a movable feast, and we have much to be thankful for this year, so we are going to host, and need a cooked turkey. When I looked on the Summer Shack site, it said you have to pick up the day before Thanksgiving. I don't want to have to reheat the turkey - kinda takes away from having someone else cook it for me. Anything in the Watertown/Waltham/Belmont area that is recommended ?